Worthiness is the quality of deserving respect, attention, or good things. It means being seen as valuable or good enough in some way.
“Worthiness” is formed from “worthy” plus the noun ending “-ness,” which turns qualities into things. The root “worthy” goes back to Old English “weorþ,” meaning “valuable” or “honorable.”
Languages like English quietly teach us that ‘worth’ is not just money—there is a whole word for the feeling of deserving good. When people struggle with self-worth, they are really wrestling with this idea of worthiness.
Ideas of “worthiness” have historically been gendered, framing women as more or less worthy based on chastity, obedience, or caregiving, while men’s worthiness was tied to provision and public achievement. These standards have been used to justify unequal rights and opportunities.
Use “worthiness” carefully, avoiding gendered moral standards; focus on fairness, rights, or eligibility criteria rather than moralizing around gender roles.
Acknowledge that women have often been judged ‘unworthy’ of education, property, or leadership under biased norms, despite significant contributions in all these areas.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.